Gift yourself the gift of sobriety this holiday season

This year’s been a giant challenge, and the holiday season may offer more in the form of temptations. If you plan on staying home due to coronavirus safety concerns, you’re potentially at risk of getting caught in the stinkin’ thinkin’ trap—festering on regrets, failures, or shit that isn’t even true. Isolation is a dangerous place where addiction breeds. And if you don’t stay home, you may find yourself at small, in-person gatherings where booze is likely to be flowing.

So here are some ways to stay sober and to give yourself the gift of sobriety.

To avoid the stinkin’ thinkin’ trap…

• FaceTime a family member or a friend. Connect!
• Phone a sober pal…preferably someone who’s farther down the road of sobriety, who can offer experienced support. Don’t set a time limit for talking. Talk for hours if necessary.
• Schedule a Zoom meeting with a recovery coach or a peer support specialist.
• Attend an online recovery group meeting. 
• Take a walk (or two) around the block.
• Get outdoors with nature, go on a hike, or just sit and enjoy the silence.
• Read a good self-help book.
• Do a guided meditation (click here for 7 meditations for beginners).
• Get DIY stuff done around the house…the “someday” stuff. Get after it!
• Listen to calming music like Tibetan singing bowls. I Googled “calming music” and got 89,600,000 results.
• Take a drive across town or out into the country. 
• Go grab a cup of joe or a healthy smoothie.
• Do meal prep for the next week (click here to read “Meal Prep 101”).

To participate in small gatherings without feeling awkward (or tempted)…

• 2020 is the year of the mocktail – order fun non-alcoholic mixed drinks (click here for a list of recipes). 
• BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverages) come prepared with plenty of booze-free tasty drinks.
• Pour yourself a bougie glass of sparkling water with lime or a festive cup of hot chocolate!
• Be prepared to talk openly about your sobriety and celebrate your kick-ass sober life. 
• Keep moving…especially if someone’s driving you party nuts.
• Always have an exit strategy! “I have to let the dog out” or “I need to feed my pet panda”.
• Avoid getting nostalgic about “the good ol’ days” and romanticizing “the fun times” when you were drinking or using.

The gifts you’ll give yourself…

• You’ll feel better and wake up hangover free.
• You’ll look better and won’t smell like death.
• You won’t have to apologize to anyone for saying or doing anything stupid. 
• You’ll eliminate your morning after anxiety and regret.
• You won’t put on any extra LBs (by drinking high-calorie liquids and then overeating). 
• You’ll have healthier organs. 
• You won’t get a DUI!

More than anything, staying sober this holiday season means you’ll cherish your time
more with friends and loved ones, and that’s what the holidays are all about.

To good health!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS